I don't know how "authentic" they are but Specialty Wheel has nice Buick Rally wheels. I bought a set of 15x7 back in '95 and they still look great:laugh: A couple months ago I bought 2 15x8 Buick rallys from them for my MT Drag Radials. Great service and price.
I had very bad luck with the 15X8 I bought from Wheel Vintiques. Typical Chinese junk. Took a ton of weight to balance them, and wheels started rusting after 2 months. I assume the others are better? Best, Ranger Aiken, SC
I think the quality of chrome plating has suffered. I have Wheel Vintiques that I bought about 15 -17 years ago. They look as good as the day I bought them. The only thing incorrect about them is the center spokes are chromed instead of being brushed like originals. I couldn’t care less but some do.
If you want the most authentic wheels you need to first find the correct centers. Do not use the centers that are aftermarket they are not correct also 1970 center is different then 1971 center incase you did not know that. If you provide the centers you cant get someone to make them look absolutely correct. I believe Caruso Performance is no longer doing the wheels but you need to check with him to make sure. If he is not doing them try McWheels.
I think the Wizard is correct. Back in 1995 I sent my 15X7 wheels to Stockton Wheel, in Stockton, Ca. to have them widened to 15X8. They cut out the centers and supplied new wheels. Chrome was plenty thick; never had a prob. E.P.A. regulations prolly had something, but not everything, to do w/ the deteriorating quality. Cheap Chinese junk is most likely the main reason. Wheel Vintiques warned that you couldn't balance the wheels they sent me on a conventional balancer. You had to use a lug-centric balancer, that few shops even have. So, can I send my crap Wheel Vintiques wheels someplace to have better chrome applied? If not, who currently sells the best wheels? It is sad that so much Chinese junk is now considered "wear items," like repro emblems. Look good when installed, but better hope it doesn't rain. --Ranger Aiken, SC
Unless its changed yet again, Coker owns Specialty and Wheel Vintiques. The Vintiques were made in the U.S., although the rims themselves at one point were from Mexico. Final assembly, painting and chroming was done here. Quality was a problem balancing, plating, painting, etc., but there were no alternatives at all with most of the wheels unless you wanted to rechrome original wheels. I was under the impression that the Buick rims were going away quite awhile back because centers were no longer available. If I recall, Vintiques said they were using original centers with new rims. If somebody invested in tooling new centers I would be shocked. For experience in this area, the cost to tool even overseas would not likely pay off with the volume of the Buick market. Regulation has eliminated most of the small market rechroming industry in the U.S., but you can still get it done here if you are willing to pay for it.
Mike, well, I guess at this point I AM willing to pay for it. But who can do a quality, albeit costly, job? Ranger Aiken, SC